Rumplestiltskin or Mr. Gold as he was known to the citizens of Storybrooke strolled across the road to the flower van labeled Game of Thorns. It's owner one Moe French former King Maurice blanched. Rumple couldn't deny since the arrival of the savior and his awakening he did manage to find some small pleasures in aspects of the curse. The demotion of Maurice from King to broke flower seller and tenant of Mr. Gold was one of them.
"I'll have your money next week!" Rumple sneered
"The terms of the loan were fairly specific..." he turned to Mr. Dove, his general man of all jobs and former Mr. Altair of the village below the Dark Castle. "Take the van." Dove nodded and got inside though not before Rumple snagged a roses. Moe began groveling in a delightful manner as Rumple leaned on his cane, unfortunately his bum leg had come back.
"Wait! No! Tomorrow's Valentine's Day! It's the biggest day of—I've got a grand in roses in the back! Stop! You've gotta let me sell them!"
"I'm gonna leave you two to continue this conversation." he said before turning and beginning to walk away. He reached the other side of the side walk to find Pip and Grace watching the affair.
Of course here Pip was in face known as Fae Belle which Rumple suspected was a jab of Regina's given Pip's hatred of fairies the obvious pun aside as well as a rather painful nod towards Belle who incidentally Rumple had not seen anywhere in town. Fae was a mild-mannered music teacher and single mother. To his regret the curse had had him treating her rather terribly something he'd rectified as soon as he'd awoken and now the teacher and landlord had struck up something of an amicable acquaintance.
As for Grace, she went by Paige in this world however it appeared that while the curse may have significantly altered the personalities of the adults of the Enchanted forest, and bar Grace families had been mixed around and split up, the children themselves had not changed much in terms of personality.
Rumple theorized that as he had been forced to put part of himself into a curse, perhaps his soft spot for children had transferred over. Whatever the reason Grace remained as inquisitive, clever, and fearless as she'd been in the Enchanted Forest, and had even struck up a friendship with Henry Mills the son of the savior Emma Swan and adopted son of Regina.
"Hello Mr. Gold!" said Paige cheerfully. Not at all afraid of the town monster.
"Good day to you, and you as well Fae," he said giving them both a rare smile.
"Someone's not happy," said Pip for at least internally Rumple couldn't bring himself to think of her as anything else.
"Well, we all have bad days," he replied dryly. By now Dove had driven off with the van and Moe came storming up to him.
"You son of a!"
"Mind your language French there is a child present," said Rumple sharply even as Pip clapped her hands over Grace's ears.
"You let your child around this monster?" scowled French at Pip who raised an eyebrow in a way that reminded Rumple heavily of his old friend.
"Why not? After all I don't tick off my landlord by not paying my rent after wasting money gambling at the Rabbit Hole." Rumple snickered internally oh the curse was definitely starting to break. That line was all Pip sneaking through.
"You won't get away with this Gold!" said Moe, shaking his fist before storming away. Rumple rolled his eyes and glanced over to find Pip doing the same.
"So, Paige what did we learn?" asked Pip.
"Don't cross Mr. Gold?" said the child with a little smile that was entirely TOO innocent. Gold barked a laugh.
"I was going to say always pay your debts and keep your promises but that's a good one too." said Pip. The three began to stroll down the street as his shop was on the way to her apartment.
"So I take it you and Mr. Madden are going out for Valentines Day?" said Rumple as they walked along. Pip shrugged.
"No, I'm afraid not. Ruby my usual sitter has a girls night planned for Ashley to give her a break from parenting a newborn." Rumple had to admit while Princess Ella had been a spoiled brat. Ashley, it seemed was taking her job mostly seriously and proving herself worthy of keeping the child.
"I could stay home on my own I'm nearly eleven!" said Grace indignantly. "You really ought to go with Jefferson!"
"Oh no you can't. For one thing that isn't old enough. And for another I don't Regina calling CPS on me for child neglect." scoffed Pip.
"If you'd like I could look after her," suggested Rumple without really thinking. Back home it would have been the natural conclusion. Pip stopped dead then looked up.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
"Just checking pigs haven't started to fly because it sounded like you just offered to babysit so I could go on a date."
"I did," he answered with a shrug.
"What's the price?" asked Pip. Rumple chuckled.
"Let's say I'm invested in your future." Pip gave him an odd look.
"I'm ok with that!" jumped in Grace shockingly quickly.
"See even your daughter thinks you deserve some time off." said Rumple.
"Since when was my landlord so interested in my dating life?"
"I'm a fan of true love. It's a precious thing one should treasure it," he said handing her the rose."
"Thank you. If you're truly sure. Jefferson originally planned to pick me up at 6."
"I'll be there by 5:45." he answered.
OUAT
The rest of his day had not been as pleasant. First, he dodged another ambush from Regina trying to confirm whether he was awake. Then Moe French broke into his house and even though Sheriff Swan got back most of the items she failed to retrieve his chipped cup. The only item of true value that had been taken.
It made his blood boil to have lost it and retribution was surely coming for Moe French before the night was out. But he did have something slightly more important to do first. The experience was in fact both enjoyable and enlightening.
For one thing he'd not realized quite how deep into believing in and potentially breaking the curse young Henry was, he'd heard of Henry's beliefs about the town but at the time what mostly mattered was that he'd brought the Savior into town. He wondered if this book Grace mentioned was the curse manufacturing a way for the Savior to start believing.
Even more shocking was the fact that Grace, though lacking her memories, was also on board with believing in the curse having cited the strange way she felt towards people she'd hardly knew, like her implicit trust of him. The fact that this trust remained was especially impressive given that she'd guessed following Henry's theory, that he was Rumplestiltskin. Though apparently the book never mentioned Grace herself by name.
Unwilling to ridicule his goddaughter even for the sake of retaining his cover, but unable to reveal the truth yet he has simply responded,
"The mind can be easily tricked dearie and memories erased, but the heart, that never forgets."
It wasn't entirely clear how the girl had taken it but he could practically hear the gears turning in her head as she tried to work it out. He'd guess she probably suspected he was awake. Things travelled into less dangerous waters after that. In fact, just like old times he was able to tell her a story before bed complete with his own dramatic flair.
As he closed the door he murmured under his breath.
"Good night your Ladyship."
He was still terrified for Belle. But it was at least a comfort to know that the Hatter's for now were relatively safe.
OUAT
Pip and Jefferson returned by 9:30 as promised with profuse thanks that he waved off. It truly hadn't been and was probably one of the few truly enjoyable things he'd gotten to do since coming to this land.
Unfortunately, now his mind turned to less pleasant topics. Well perhaps a different kind of pleasant. His time with Grace had briefly dampened and distracted him from his anger but now it was back in full force. It was time to make Maurice pay for his crimes both past and present.
OUAT
In retrospect perhaps kidnapping and nearly beating his father-in-law to death had not been the best strategy. It had ended him up in a cell Sheriff Swan had looked quite pleased about getting to cuff him and put him in the back of a police car.
Not that he was all that worried he'd be out in no time but it perhaps hadn't been wise to let his temper loose like that. The thing was back in their land he'd originally spared Maurice for the sake of Belle's memory. Then for Belle herself. Now here without his flicker of light it was easy to fall into a pattern of anger and take his fury out on the man even if right now he hardly knew what he'd done.
Of course he was furious with Maurice for what he'd done to Belle, and for stealing the cup, but he couldn't deny he'd also been taking his own frustrations about his inability to protect and now track down Belle out on the man. It was probably a good thing the good sheriff had shown up. He didn't imagine when he found Belle, that she'd have been thrilled about him having murdered her father, at least with the beating he might escape with a night on the couch.
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of none other than Regina. Here known as Mayor Mills bringing, he son and allowing him to have some time with Emma if she got some alone time with Rumple, or Mr. Gold, in return. Once the Savior and her son were out of the room he smirked.
"Well... You really wanted that little chat, didn't you?" Regina approached.
"Apparently, this is the only way I could do it." He gestured to the arm of the couch.
"Please, sit." As if shoved down by some invisible force Regina sat. "Now when two people want something the other has, a deal can always be struck. Do you have what I want?"
"Yes" said Regina with a grin pulling the chipped tea cup out of her purse.
"So... you did put him up to it, then. I suspected as much. Moe French isn't that bright."
"I merely suggested that... strong men take what they need."
"Oh yeah, and you told him just what to take, didn't you?"
"We used to know each other so well, Mr. Gold. Has it really come down to this?"
"It seems it has, yeah. But you know what I want. What is it you want?" he asked remaining casual.
"I want you to answer one question. And answer it simply. What's your name?"
"It's Mr. Gold." he scoffed he wasn't giving in that easily.
"Your real name."
"Every moment I've spent on this earth, that's been my name." he said he'd use every loophole. If he were forced to give up his name so be it but he wouldn't make it easy for her.
"But what about moments spent elsewhere?" he paused keeping her hanging.
"What are you asking me?"
"I think you know. If you want me to return what's yours, tell me your name." he chuckled. Well, if she wanted to know if the beast was awake, she could find out. It wouldn't change much, besides perhaps instilling a bit of fear.
"Rumplestiltskin." he stood up and gripped the bars. "Now give me what I want."
"Such hostility." mocked Regina.
"Oh yeah." Regina dangled the tea cup swaying it from side to side.
"Over this? Such a... sentimental little keepsake." he grasped the cup cradling it.
"Thank you... your Majesty." he said somewhat mockingly as he sat back down and she got up to leave. Regina scoffed.
"Enjoy it. It's all you'll ever have of her." Rumple scowled.
"Now that we're being honest with each other, let's remember how things used to be, shall we? And don't let these bars fool you, dear. I'm the one with the power around here. I'm gonna be out of here in no time, and nothing between us will change. I'll find my wife and you'd best hope I'm in a forgiving mood when I do."
"We shall see." said Regina trying to sound blase but he had seen the flash of fear in her eyes.
Author's Note: ANNNND we're back for book 2! Yes Grace is Henry's friend here and pro helping break the curse so we'll see a bit more of her as well as Jefferson and Pip! I changed a little dialogue here but the major changes are coming in the next chapters. I just need to kick things off. Let me know what you think in the comments below! Until next week!